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By Bill M. Stewart, Philip W. Patton, Curtis C. Clark

Handling materials in underground mines continues to be a major safety problem. To help reduce materials-handling injuries, researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are investigating those materials-handling tasks in underground mines that appear to generate a high number of injuries. Data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration for the years 1989-1999 were studied to find out if there were any trends in materials-handling accidents and if so, to determine what tasks were involved and the sources of injuries. Several underground coal and metal mines we revisited to document innovative materials-handling technologies. Considerations for safety training and mechanization needs for continued reduction in materials-handling injuries are described.

By L. R. Burdick

This paper presents a review of published investigation dealing with the importance of sulfur compounds in the deterioration of materials or providing some basis for estimating the extent of loss shareable to such air pollution. Materials included are cement, stone, metals, paint, leather, paper, sand cloth. The investigations may be divided into two classes, one of the laboratory type in which the sulfur content and the humidity of the air were controlled and the other dealing with the exposure of materials to atmospheres not under control. The first type of work has shown that cement is subject to deterioration by the action of sulfur dioxide gas. The experiments with stone indicate that although limestone takes up sulfur dioxide, from the air, moist sulfur dioxide-air mixtures alone cannot be used for establishing- the comparative weathering- qualities of the different types of stone by accelerated test methods. Laboratory tests indicate that sulfur compounds in the air accelerate the corrosion of iron, steel, zinc, copper, and nickel at normal air temperatures and at certain relative humidities. It has also been indicated that certain types of paint are, affected by high sulfur dioxide concentrations, and that paper is attacked by sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. The investigations of the second type show the amount or variation of corrosion in different localities and under different types of exposure. The investigations (10) (18)4/ during which sulfur determinations were made indicate that sulfur dioxide is a main controlling factor in the corrosion of iron and steel but according to Quick (18) may not be for some nonferrous metals. In general, the laboratory tests do not Jive definite data on the loss due to sulfur compounds at the concentrations normally found in the air. The data from atmospheric exposures are not complete from the standpoint of the exact effect of the sulfur compounds. Damage to materials so exposed is affected by factors such as other chemical contaminants, humidity, rainfall, solid deposits, and sunlight. A simple scheme has been devised in Great Britain which is considered to provide a measure of the attack of sulfur compound, on building materials (1). Small cylinders coated

Jan 1, 1939

By A. L. Engel

This report is a compilation of results of preliminary tests on scheelite (tungsten) ores and tailings. These investigations were made to assist in establishing satisfactory treatment methods for small-scale concentrator operations, or to indicate a. method for conserving previously lost mineral values in old tailings, if possible. A discussion of test procedures is included, as it was felt that this would add to understanding the results reported under the several projects. The treatment of scheelite ores has become more or less standardized. Important differences occur in textures of ores from various mining districts. However, and this must be considered when planning ore-dressing operations. In most of the present investigations, only a limited amount of work was done, usually just enough to answer a specific question in regard to a particular ore or concerning local conditions. Two methods of treatment included gravity concentration, magnetic separation, and flotation.

Jan 1, 1952

By Kenneth L. Cashdollar

This report describes three types of optical dust probes that have been designed, built, and tested by the Bureau of Mines. Each of the probes measures dust cloud concentrations by the attentuation of light. The first is a single-path-length probe, the second is a double-path-length probe, and the third is a single-path-length probe that employs jets of air to keep the windows of the light source and detector free from dust coating. The theory of operation and the calibration procedures for each of the probes are described. The results of the Bureaus laboratory, mine, and field tests of the probes are also reported.

Jan 1, 1981

By By Staff

"These proceedings consist of papers presented at a Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminar on postdisaster survival and rescue research. Several seminars are held each year to bring the latest results of Bureau research to the attention of the mining industry as quickly as possible.INTRODUCTIONThe postdisaster research program is directed toward research and development of technology and equipment that increases the chances of a miner surviving or being rescued after an underground mine disaster. A disaster is an accident of major proportions, and it may result in the entrapment of miners whose normal egress from the mine is cut off. This often necessitates a rescue operation and a means of keeping the trapped miners alive while they await rescue. The Bureau is currently pursuing research to develop the technology that will enhance the ability of miners to survive such an occurrence. The research is divided into two basic problem areas, survival and rescue. Both areas are concerned with the inability of miners and rescue teams to cope with the postaisaster environment, such as toxic gases, unstable roof conditions, water flooding, and lack of oxygen. In addition, research is also conducted to find ways of locating and quickly reaching trapped miners. Most of the research conducted by the Bureau has been directed toward the postdisaster problems associated with coal mines. However, most of the research results are also applicable to noncoal mines as well.The papers presented in these proceedings address some of the recent research conducted by the Bureau of Mines that has been directed toward the postdisaster problems outlined above. The topics covered range from an overview of the technology developed for oxygen selfrescuers to training programs for mine rescue. Any questions or comments pertaining to this research are encouraged and appreciated. Open file report (OFR) references in the proceedings listed as available from NTIS may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161, and are also available for reference at Bureau of Mines facilities in Denver, Colo., Twin Cities, Minn., l3ruceton and Pittsburgh, Pa., and Spokane, Wash.; the Department of Energy facility in Morgantown, W. Va.; the National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Beckley, W. Va., and the National Library of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C."

Jan 1, 1982

By Gloria L. Walker

The Bureau of Mines Information and Analysis Directorate collects worldwide data on virtually every commercially important non fuel mineral commodity. These data form the base for tracking and assessing the health of the minerals sector of the U.S. economy. This data collection activity was instituted by the 47th Congress in an appropriations act of August 7, 1882 (22 Stat. 329), to place the collection of mineral statistics on an annual basis. The most recent authority for the Bureau of Mines Information and Analysis activity is the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-479, 96th Congress), which strengthens protection for proprietary data provided to the U.S. Department of the Interior by persons or firms engaged in any phase of mineral or mineral-material production or consumption.

Jan 1, 1990

By Frank H. Reed

This report is one of a series written by members of the Solid Fuels Mission to Germany describing wartime developments in the mining , preparation , and utilization of coal . This mission was organized early in 1945 under the auspices of the Technical Industrial Intelligence Committee , which cooperated with a counterpart British committee . The Solid Fuels Mission operated under the direction of a steering committee headed by Dr. C. J. Potter , Deputy Solid Fuels Administrator . The personnel of the mission consisted of H. F. Yancey, in charge , J. W. Buch, Thomas Fraser , L. L. Newman , and L. D. Schmidt of the Bureau of Mines ; H. H. Lowry , Director of the Coal Research Laboratory , Carnegie Institute of Technology; H. J. Rose , Vice - president and Director of Research , Bituminous Coal Research , Inc .; and F. H. Reed , Chief Chemist , Illinois State Geological Survey . Over 50 reports were written by the members of the Solid Fuels Mission . These , together with microfilms of supporting data obtained in the course of the investigations , are on file at the Bureau of Mines , Washington , D. C. , where they are available for public examination . The Office of the Publication Board in the Department of Commerce is prepared to furnish photolith copies , photostats , or microfilm reproduction of all declassified reports . A Bibliography of Scientific and Industrial Reports is issued weekly by the Department of Commerce , Office of the Publication Board , and is sold by the Superintendent of Documents , Government Printing Office , Washington 25 , D. C. , on a subscription basis . An initial payment of $ 10 will provide for approximately 9 months , and subscribers will be notified when additional remittance is necessary . All subscriptions will begin with volume 1 , No. 1 , unless ordered otherwise . The Bibliography, covers all materials and subjects and gives instructions for obtaining the desired items . The reports of the Solid Fuels Mission relate to the following general subjects : Mining methods in the Ruhr district of Germany , with special reference to mechanical cutting and loading equipment , pneumatic packing , and Diesel mine locomotives ; activities of industrial research laboratories supported by the German coal and coke industry ; coal preparation in western Europe ; low- temperature carbonization processes ; metallurgical coke from

Jun 1, 1948

By Maria I. De Rosa

This report analyzes mine fires for all U.S. underground and surface metal/nonmetal mining categories during 1990–2001 by state and six successive 2-year time periods. Injury risk rates are derived, and ignition source, methods of detection and suppression, and other variables are examined. Fires involving contractors are also included in the analysis. The data were derived from Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)mine fire accident publications and verbal communications with mine personnel. The analysis will provide the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, MSHA, and the mining industry with a better understanding of the causes and hazards associated with mine fires and an increased awareness aimed at preventing and reducing fire hazards. It will also form a basis for future fire research programs.

Jan 11, 2004

By P. M. Brown

The Bureau of Mines is investigating a dewatering technique for coal-clay waste that uses a flocculant, polyethylene oxide (PEO). This flocculant forms strong stable flocs that can be dewatered on a static screen. A field test unit (FTU) using this technique was operated at approximately 400 gal/min, using a waste stream from the flotation circuit of a coal preparation plant. Consolidated coal-clay material con-taining 55 to 60 pct solids was produced when the flotation circuit slurries of 2.7 to 8 pct solids were treated with 0.1 to 0.3 Ib PEO per ton of solids. The FTU was also operated at 64.5 and 87.5 gal/min using a portion of the underflow slurry from the preparation plant's thickener. Consolidated coal-clay material containing 55 to 60 pct solids was produced when the thickener underflow slurries of 19 to 24 pct solids were treated with 0.08 to 0.2 Ib PEO per ton of solids. PED-treated materials continued to dewater when placed in a pit.

Jan 1, 1983

By Theodore Kessler

The purpose of this Bureau of Mines investigation was to determine what new organic compounds or high concentrations of a particular organic species can be formed by exposure of coal derivatives to ultrasonic energy. Tetralin, l-methylnaphthalene, and pyridine were used as model compounds. Gaseous and solid reaction products resulting from the ultrasonic irradiation of these coal derivatives were determined using mass spectrometry. Products from the irradiation of tetralin were studied as a function of time, atmosphere, and sample size. The sonolysis (chemical reactions produced by ultrasonic energy) of tetralin and l-methylnaphthalene produced C2H2, HCN, CH4, H2, CO, and CO2, depending upon the experimental conditions. The ultrasonic irradiation of tetralin also produced diacetylene under certain experimental conditions. The cleavage of organic chemical bonds by ultrasonic cavitation in the absence of water was also observed in this study.

Jan 1, 1967

By Wallace W. Key

The California pesticide industry in 1962 consumed about 30,000 tons of clay, talc, limestone, diatomite, sulfur, and other minerals as fillers (carriers and diluents) in pesticide formulation. This was 10 percent of the U.S. filler requirement for pesticides. About two- thirds of the California total was supplied by a few local mineral producers; the remainder came mainly from Florida, Georgia, and Wyoming. The objectives of this report are to provide data on quantities, sources, specifications, and market conditions for minerals used as fillers by California pesticide formulators. The study disclosed that specifications for mineral fillers have become more rigid and formulators have become more numerous in recent years. During 1962 over 1,200 firms registered 16,000 pesticide products with the Bureau of Chemistry in California. Factors which will tend to diminish future need for mineral fillers include the trend toward greater use of organic sprays rather than dusts and further development of biological controls, such as the development of sterile insect strains.

Jan 1, 1965

By G. S. Rice

The recommendations of the Bureau of Mines on rock-dusting practices are embodied, except in a few details, in the Recommended American Practice for Rock-Dusting Coal Mines to Prevent Coal-Dust Explosions,5 approved by the. American Engineering Standards Committee,6 December 30, 1925 It is specified that the dust to be used is of a size that all will pass through a sieve having 20 meshes per linear inch and that 50 per cent or more will pass through a sieve having 200 meshes per linear inch.

Jan 1, 1930

By Thomas J. Peters

The King Mountain study area is centered about 120 air km northwest of Blackfoot, and 30 air km north of Arco, Idaho. The study area makes up the southern one-third of the northwest-trending Lost River Range--the highest mountain range in Idaho. The area is predominantly underlain by Paleozoic-age marine limestone and lesser dolostone, with a relatively small inlier of silica-rich, Ordovician-age quartzite. There are vast, unquantified resources of these industrial minerals present; however, special markets need to be developed for these resources which are near enough for transportation costs to be competitive. Five prospects were found in the study area; however, only one, the Elbow quartz silica prospect, contains resources and current claims. There has been no mineral production in the study area.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. W. Adams

"During the calendar year 1925 the Bureau of Mines received from the operators of several hundred mines and quarries complete accident records covering deaths, permanent disabilities, and “lost time” temporary injuries. Some of the companies, - those that participated in the National Safety Competition-also furnished information showing the number of man-hours of work performed during the year. With these two types of information it was possible to calculate the accident-frequency and accident-severity rates of the different plants. Complete and comparable reports of accidents and Man-hours of “exposure” were received from 34 underground metal mines, 59 underground coal mines, 15 underground mines producing other nonmetallic minerals, and 102 open quarries or open-pit mines. The figures in the table appended to this report show the accident severity rates and other data for each of the 34 underground metal mines and for the group as a whole. It is proposed to publish similar figures for the other classes of mines and quarries at an early date.The 34 metal mines listed in the table are situated in Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota., and Utah; they employed 5, 925 men, an average of 174 men per mine, including employees above-ground as well as underground. With but few exceptions, 50 men was the minimum number of employees in any mine. The total period of employment or “exposure” at the 34 mines was 14,612,607 man-hours, an average of 2,466 hours per man, or the equivalent of 308 work-days of eight hours for each employee. Accidents resulted in 15 fatalities, 9 permanent disabilities, and 1,950 temporary “lost time” injuries (causing disability exceeding remainder of shift). The fatal and nonfatal injuries represented 132,575 days of disability. Thus the accident frequency rate for the group was 135 accidents per million hours and the accident severity rate was 9.073 days lost per thousand hours of 1 “exposure”. The severity rates ranged from 0.227 to 88.653, while the ·range of the accident-frequency rates was from 16. 6 to 307 .4. In compiling the accident severity rates shown in the table, all accidents caused by explosives were weighted at twice the number of days actually lost, as one of the purposes of the National Safety Competition was to stress the prevention of accidents caused by explosives."

Sep 1, 1926

By K. L. Williams

The Bureau of Mines tested a prototype tapered-element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) dust monitor for measuring respirable coal mine dust. The monitor uses the inertial behavior of a vibrating element to measure the mass of sampled dust. Tests were performed to determine variability, drift, the effect of humidity, placement of collection filter, and element orientation during analysis, and comparability with gravimetric measurements of respirable coal dust. Variability was about 1.6 µg. Over about 26 h at 46 pct relative humidity, drift was very slightly negative. When the relative humidity was increased to 78 pct, all units showed a total positive change less then 40 µg over about 70h. Filter placement variation on the tapered element resulting from in- consistent sizing of the filter mounting bases caused significant error (up to 0.2 mg). In practice, calibration of the system for each new filter will eliminate that error. Orientation of the element during analysis did not introduce significant error, but care is necessary when mounting the canister that houses the element to avoid damping oscillation of the element. Dust tests were performed in an aerosol chamber using coal dust. Measurements made by the TEOM dust monitor agreed to within 10 pct of simultaneous measurements by gravimetric personal samplers.

Jan 1, 1986

By W. W. Adams

"The results of the fourth annual safety contest, 'mown as the National Safety Competition, contacted by the United States Bureau of Mines are herein announced. A bronze trophy, ‘Sentinels of Safety’, the gift of the Explosives Engineer magazine, has been awarded to the leading mine in each of the five groups into which the mines and quarries that participated in the contest were arranged. These five groups were: anthracite mines, bituminous coal mines, metal mines, nonmetallic-mineral mines, and carries and open-pit mines. The leading plant in each group was the mine whose employee lost the smallest number of days from accidents in proportion to the total number of man hours worked. Where two or more mines operated without a lost-time accident, the winner was adjudged to be the plant which operated the largest number of man hours during the year.The contest was based upon reports of accidents and exposure sent by the competing companies to the Bureau of Mines. Records of the five leading companies in each group were made known to a Committee of Award, consisting of the following seven members: H. Poster Bain, Secretary of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers; James F. Callbreath, Secretary of the American Mining Congress; W. H. Cameron, Managing Director of the National Safety Council; H. L. Gandy, Secretary of the National Coal Association; A. T. Goldbeck, Director of the Engineering Bureau of the National Crushed Stone Association; William Green, President of the American Federation of Labor; and A. J. R. Curtis, Assistant to the General Manager of the Portland Cement Association. Members of the committee voted for the winning company in each group in accordance with the rules governing the contest.. A majority vote prevailed."

May 1, 1929

By T. A. Gray, L. M. Crayne, P. Glogowski, Trevits. M. A.

Of the 19 major mine fire events (including thermal events) that have occurred in the last 6 years (2000-2005), it is estimated that remotely constructed mine seals could have been used at 65% of the events to control or suppress the fire. Underground observations of seals that have been remotely installed during mine fire events show that they often do not fully achieve mine roof-to-floor and rib-to-rib closure. Unfortunately, the inability to reliably close the mine void has limited or precluded the regular use of this technology. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is conducting full-scale underground experiments at the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine to identify and remedy existing remote sealing technology shortcomings, to develop novel technologies, and to transfer the new or improved technologies to the mining industry. This paper will discuss the remote mine seal testing program and will provide the results of the in-mine experiments. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

By Frank J. Weibelt

In accordance with provisions of the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939, the Bureau of Mines surveyed the chromite occurrences in California. The Seiad Creek deposit afforded excellent opportunity for developing reserves that could be used by the nation in case of critical shortages of the mineral. Subsequently an exploration and development program was undertaken in April 1941, which was concluded in October of the same year. Work included road construction, diamond drilling, drifting and crosscutting, surface trenching, and sampling.

Jan 1, 1949

By John M. Devine

The severe corrosion of equipment that is caused by the presence of hydrogen sulphide in oil and gas has been described in detail by several authors. Such corrosion, termed "low-temperature hydrogen sulphide corrosion", presents a somewhat different problem from the "high-temperature hydrogen sulphide corrosion" that is encountered in refinery operation and which has been described by various-investigators of refinery corrosion.

Jan 1, 1932

By V. E. Erwin, W. W. Adams

"INTRODUCTION This report presents statistics of accidents at coke ovens in the United States during the calendar years as 1933, the twenty-first year for which data of this kind are available, 1913 being the first year for which accident reports were collected from the operating companies by the Bureau of Mines. The present report is presented in mimeograph form because insufficient funds are available for printing it. The first report of the Bureau of Mines that contained statistics of accidents for the coke-mining industry in the United States covered the two calendar years, 1913 and 1914. While the figures presented therein related both to beehive and by-product ovens, the original returns from the operating companies were not classified so as to permit the presentation of accident statistics for each class of ovens separately. Beginning with 1915, the accident reports from the operating companies have shown the general type of ovens to which the reports related; therefore, since that year, separate statistics for each of the two classes of ovens have been given in the Bureau's yearly reports of accidents at coke ovens.The coke-making industry in the United States established a safety record in 1933 almost equal in merit to that which it achieved in 1932, when the accident-frequency rate was the lowest and therefore the most favorable that the industry has known. Credit for the achievement is due almost entirely to companies operating byproduct ovens. (See table 8.)"

Mar 1, 1935